Turkey

MERHABA!(Hello!)

HOŞÇA KALIN!(Bye!)

Land area

783,562 km2

Population

77.3 million

Currency

Turkish lira [TRY]

Turkey is often seen as the link between Europe and Asia. Home to some 77 million people, the Republic of Turkey has one of the fastest-growing and youngest populations in the world. The Turkish economy is growing steadily: with its expanding domestic market and high-spending middle class, the country is attractive to national and international retail companies alike. Modern retail formats are establishing themselves primarily in Turkey’s large cities and business centres, while traditional retail structures still prevail in rural areas. Here, bakkallar – traditional, family-run neighbourhood shops – hold sway together with markets and bazaars. Generally speaking, the Turkish retail landscape is highly fragmented, with the top five players accounting for a market share of less than 10 per cent. Of the modern formats, discounters have successfully established themselves in recent years. These are very popular among consumers and can now be found throughout the country.

Travel tips

Restaurant tip

Can Oba, whose restaurant bears his own name, previously studied under and worked with German gourmet chef Alfons Schuhbeck. Located in the heart of Istanbul, his charming restaurant offers Turkish cuisine of the highest quality.

Can Oba, whose restaurant bears his own name, previously studied under and worked with German gourmet chef Alfons Schuhbeck. Located in the heart of Istanbul, his charming restaurant offers Turkish cuisine of the highest quality.

Etiquette

Coffee is the traditional conclusion of a Turkish meal. It is normally served with a glass of water, which is used to clean the mouth and to prepare the palette for the aromas of the coffee. Guests should therefore be very careful to drink the water prior to the coffee – and not the other way around.
If you drink tea, you can stop your host refilling your cup by laying your spoon across the rim of the cup. If you lay your spoon beside the cup, you are saying that you haven’t had enough and that the host may continue pouring.
In Turkey, it is absolutely unacceptable to blow your nose at the table. If you need to do this, it is better to go to another room (e.g., to the lavatory).